Rita Ora says she doesn’t want to ‘limit herself’ as just a musician

Rita Ora admitted that she doesn’t want to ‘limit herself as just a musician’ as she discussed female empowerment at The Red Sea International Film Festival on Friday. 

Attending the Women In Cinema event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the singer, 35, told Daily Mail how she is still ‘constantly learning’ and ‘breaking boundaries.’

This year’s edition once again puts global cinema in the spotlight, with a bold focus on Arab filmmakers and regional talent. 

Performing on stage, Rita looked sensational in a stunning design from Ellie Saab, that featured a delicate floral bodice and a puff ball skirt. 

Revealing why she doesn’t want to limit herself to being just a musician, she explained: ‘They tend to limit themselves as just one category and you don’t really need to do that. 

‘I see myself an amateur everyday as I’m constantly learning. You should never walk into the room thinking you don’t have power as you do.’ 

Rita added that a woman she will always look up to ‘first and foremost’ is her mother but added: ‘There are so many women for different reasons like Madonna in music, Blondie and even Cher. 

‘They are people who have done more than one thing and that’s exactly what I love to do. So it’s awesome to see these boundaries being broken.

‘I can talk about events like this for hours, in a nutshell there’s so many moments I think we’ve seen as women from equal pay to being shy to talk about menopause to everything we hold as a woman. 

‘It’s almost as if it’s being questioned and it’s like why is it even something that is discussed with women being in the same room supporting one another, I think it should just be a thing and be natural and normal and I don’t see a world without it. 

‘I’m very lucky to say I’m embracing that kind of energy and I want to keep that going for the future generations.’ 

Guests from across the world poured into Cultural Square in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district to celebrate and mark the festival’s 2025 theme: For the Love of Cinema. 

Earlier in the evening, Rita was joined by a host of celebrity guests on the star-studded red carpet. 

She looked incredible in the light grey, semi-sheer fishtail number that featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and fluted lace sleeves. 

The singer teamed the detailed piece with a matching choker necklace and slicked her hair back from her face. 

Thursday’s opening night also doubled as the world premiere of Giant, the high-energy biographical drama about British boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed. 

Directed by Rowan Athale, it stars Amir El-Masry as ‘Naz’ and Pierce Brosnan as his famed Irish trainer Brendan Ingle. 

Giant is a high-energy biographical drama about British boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed.